Trump praises Indian and Pakistani leadership, sparks political backlash in India with Kashmir mediation remarks; India maintains ceasefire was directly negotiated through military channels.
Washington DC [US], May 11:
US President Donald Trump on Sunday lauded the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, warning that millions of lives were at stake had the situation escalated further. Referring indirectly to the nuclear capabilities of both nations, Trump posted an emphatic message on Truth Social, calling the ceasefire a “historic and heroic decision” by the leadership of the two countries.
“I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many, and so much. Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions,” Trump wrote.
Trump, who has long expressed interest in mediating on the Kashmir issue, reiterated that the United States played a role in facilitating the ceasefire and said he would continue to push for deeper trade ties with both nations.
“I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision. While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” he added.
However, Trump’s comments have sparked strong political and diplomatic reactions in India. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized on Saturday that the understanding to cease military actions was reached bilaterally between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries — with no third-party mediation involved.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly reiterated India’s stand:
“India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.”
India has consistently rejected foreign mediation on Jammu and Kashmir, maintaining that the region is an integral part of India and any resolution will be strictly bilateral.
Meanwhile, Trump’s overture and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s mention of a “neutral site” for dialogue has triggered a political storm in India. The Congress party has strongly objected, questioning whether the Indian government has deviated from the Simla Agreement and opened the door to third-party involvement.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh demanded clarity from the government, stating:
“The Indian National Congress considers that the mention of a ‘neutral site’ by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for dialogue between India and Pakistan raises many questions. Have we abandoned the Simla Agreement? Have we opened the doors to third-party mediation?”
Ramesh further asked whether diplomatic channels with Pakistan have been reopened, and what commitments were made during recent back-channel discussions. He also demanded an all-party meeting to be convened in light of Operation Sindoor, India’s major retaliatory strike that destroyed nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan earlier this month.
The Congress party’s criticism underlines the domestic sensitivity of any perceived shift in India’s foreign policy stance, especially regarding Kashmir and third-party intervention.
As of now, the Indian government maintains that the ceasefire is in effect but retaliatory actions remain on the table in case of further violations, which reportedly occurred shortly after the agreement was reached.